CITATION GUIDELINES FOR GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
Why cite?
- So that the reader can find the original source of the information
- Through publication, a scholarly dialogue occurs. A lack of citation would make this dialogue impossible.
- It is considered plagiarism not to.
When is it necessary to cite?
”Whenever you quote or base your ideas on another person’s work”
(Style sheets for citing Resources - UC Berkeley Teaching Library Internet Workshops)
URL: www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html
Accessed Oct. 24, 2006
What format should I use?
- In science there is no one format that is always considered best. Three different formats (the name-and-year, the alphabet-number and the citation order systems) are often used (http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/res/res-citsandrefs.html). Unless otherwise specified (below) in this class, feel free to use any one of these three.
- Often we will ask that you choose a scientific journal and use the format specified on the instructions for authors website.
- Here is a link to the instructions for authors website for the Journal of Bacteriology: http://jb.asm.org/misc/ifora.shtml
- If specific info. is not listed for internet sources use guidelines on http://liblearn.osu.edu/tutor/les7/guide.html
- If specific information is not listed, cite lab manuals just as you would books and to cite lectures, use the following format:
Name of lecturer. “Title of Lecture.” Class name. University Name. Location of Lecture. Date.
Is it ever unnecessary to cite a source?
- If it is general knowledge (e.g. Prokaryotic cells lack a true membrane-bound nucleus.)
- If it is your original work
- If you are writing an abstract
How do I determine the quality of a source?
Wikipedia caution:
Wikipedia is open courseware. This means that anyone can edit (change or modify) the information. In terms of quality as a source, this is both good and bad. In many ways it is peer review at its most extreme; everyone has the ability to edit the work. However, it also is not protected from falsification. Therefore, do not be surprised if certain instructors do not accept Wikipedia as a source. In this class, you may use Wikipedia but only as a supplement to other sources. It is often a good place to start; it gives a broad overview of the topic and helps to get you oriented to embark on further research. *Never use Wikipedia blindly, always ask the questions suggested in the above website assessment suggestions.
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